By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: With notification issued yesterday by the Governor of Bihar, the process for 1st phase poll of Bihar Assembly elections has begun. In the 1st phase, polling will be held for 47 seats on October 21. The vote of Muslims will be decisive in at least 25 seats.
In the 1st phase, Muslims will cast decisive vote in 25 seats where they constitute 20-75% of population. Among the 25 seats, there are 8 seats where Muslims account for 50 or above percentage of the local population. They are: Araria (58.97), Jokihat (69.47), Bahadurganj (62.68), Kishanganj (65.04), Kochadhaman (74.22), Amour (74.3), Baisi (69.06) and Balrampur (65.13).
It is clear that political parties are vying for Muslim vote, and thus will give more tickets to minority candidates. The first indication came from Congress party yesterday when it released first list of 77 candidates for the assembly elections. The Congress is contesting on all 243 seats of the Assembly.
Out of 77 candidates, there are 22 Muslims, that is about 29%. Out of 77 candidates, 31 are for the 1st phase poll. Among this 31, there are 11 Muslim candidates, that is more than 35%. It is not clear if the Congress will continue this trend of giving tickets to Muslims in good number for all phases. However, the party has clearly taken a lead over other secular parties, forcing them to visit their plan if it is less charming for the minority.